How to Use Fake Toe Nails for Covering Fungus

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One of the biggest problems with toenail fungus is the appearance it leaves behind: discolored and ugly are not very attractive traits in your feet, and it can be embarrassing to deal with.

In addition, the infection can cause brittle nails and breakage.

This has lead some people to wonder how to use fake toenails for covering fungus.

Using fake nails are a crafty way to hide fungus, avoid any further mangling of your toenails and open you up to the many treatment options available to handle your toenail fungus problem.

Here’s what you can do to treat the problem, as well as a how to use fake nails and nail polish to hide the damage already done.

How to Use Fake Toe Nails for Covering Fungus

Before you start using fake nails on toenail fungus, it’s best to start treating it.

Realistically, when it comes to toenail fungus, the best treatment is prevention. If you have dealt with toenail fungus in the past and are considering use fake nails, you will want to ensure that your nails are applied in a healthy and clean manner.

If fake nails are applied improperly, they can trap moisture, which provides the perfect place for fungus to grow.

Stopping an infection from occurring is generally a lot easier than trying to cure an infection once it has started.

Topical Treatments

Many topical treatments can be purchased over the counter at your local pharmacy or drugstore.

These treatments are easy and usually not expensive because you won’t need a prescription for them.

You may want to research different brands of topical antifungal before you buy, though, to ensure the treatment won’t do any additional damage to your nail or the skin on the surrounding area of the toe.

Oral Antifungal Medicine

If topical treatments do not do the trick, you may want to set up an appointment with your primary care physician or a podiatrist.

They can give you a prescription for an oral antifungal. Be sure to follow the instructions on the medication, as prescription medications can have harsh side effects if they are taken incorrectly.

Different Types of Fake Nails

Before you consider using fake nails to cover up issues due to fungus, you may want to double check with your doctor.

Sometimes it is simply best to wait until your nails have healed from the fungal infection before attempting to cover up the damage.

You may also want to consult and work with a nail technician, since they are well versed in how to apply nails in a clean and sanitary fashion.

Silk Wrap Nails

Pros

Silk Wrap nails cause less damage to nails and they can actually help strengthen healthy broken nails.

These type of fake nails are also more flexible and not as thick as acrylic nails, so they allow for a more breathable fit. Overall, they are gentler.

Cons

Since this type of fake nail is thinner, it tends to lack the strength of an acrylic nail.

It can also be difficult to find someone to apply this kind of toenail for you, as this technique is more often used on hands, not feet. Ask around!

Acrylic Nails

Pros

Acrylic nails look lovely long term, they are sturdy and long lasting, and generally they will continue to look nice for a few months.

Here’s a good video on building a fake nail over a toenail that’s been lost to toenail fungus:

Cons

Though it may be tempting to go to the nail salon and get a full set of acrylic toenails, you may want to use some caution before jumping to that option.

Because acrylic nails are worn for long amounts of time, generally a few months, they can actually cause additional damage and trap moisture in the nail bed.

This moisture and nail damage can cause the nail fungus to grow further.

There are many ways to minimize these potential hazards.

Hygiene is really key if you want to prevent the spread of fungus, so you ensure that you keep your toes, nails, and nail beds clean.

If you plan to use fake toenails to cover damaged or discolored toenails, you will want to change your nails frequently, even as often as every two weeks.

You may also want to consider going to the salon for any kind of nail treatment, and you will want to ensure that the salon you visit is up to date on their sanitary practices.

Other Options to Cover Toenail Fungus

If you have decided that fake nails aren’t the right route for you but still want to cover up the effects of fungus, consider using nail polishes that have been specifically created to combat fungus.

If you try to use a normal polish, it can actually do more harm than good.

If you are male, you can also use anti-fungal polishes. There are transparent polishes that will help cover up signs of fungus and decay.

Overall Verdict

If you are hoping to use fake toenails for covering fungus, you may want to wait until you have completed treatment and are fungus free.

Fake nails can be a great way to hide unattractive damage, but it’s best to check with your doctor so you can make sure your toenails heal and remain healthy.